It's time once again for this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! This monthly feature looks at the upcoming release status and whereabouts of announced and (at least partially) recorded albums from Sault Ontario metal, hard rock, and punk bands, in order to see where they are and when we might see them on sale. This month features one album removal (Mike McCleary's newly released "Weight of the Truth"; his prior surprise EP "Hourglass" never had time to be covered here), but we have 12 entries this month, 5 with updated info, as noted with their title in
italics. So, where are the new albums? Read on below to hopefully find out!
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The Bear Hunters - The Dead Testament
Rumoured Songs: "The
Void", "The Omen", "Neckbreaker", "I Fear No God", "Servitude",
"Transcend Judgement", "For Glory", "The Wrath Of Angmar", "The Dying
Den", "The Dead Testament", "Deception" (bonus re-recording),
"The Forest of Forests" (bonus track)
Background: In tentative planning
since 2014 under this title, local death metal quintet The Bear
Hunters have been playing songs intended for their second full length CD
for a few years now, but only fully began recording sessions for "The
Dead Testament" on October 2nd, 2015. Following a brief fundraising campaign
and the gradual unveiling of song titles, the band have been working
with producer Dustin Jones at
Mission Control Studios, and have shared
sporadic updates on
their Instagram page. Like on 2014's "Eternal
Hibernation", rhythm guitarist Josh Stephney has recorded parts
for the album despite living in Southern Ontario, but it's not yet clear
on how bonus tracks will be handled.
Current Release Status: The Bear
Hunters haven't given any firm timetables for when to expect "The Dead
Testament"
in stores, but recording sessions are reportedly complete, with
"finishing
touches" to blame for the delays in finishing the CD. The band is
aiming for a more professional sound and release for
their sophomore effort, and while there have been private online updates
in the interim, the band only broke their silence on it in October on
their Facebook page, where they implied that it was "officially moving
onto the mixing and mastering phase." Keep an eye out for updates on "The Dead Testament" when
and if they come in!
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The Din - "Suburban Sendoff"
Rumoured Songs: "In
Search Of The Perfect Moment", "Flux", "Alleyways & Apartments",
"Out Of My League", "75", "Remember", "Potato (Should Have Known
Better)", "A Drive Through The Peninsula", "Give Me A Reason", "High
Park", "Up In The Air", "35's The Limit", "Weekend Delivery", "Missing",
"In The Moonlight", "The Price That You Pay", "Suburban Dream", "We Met
As Surrogates" (a.k.a. "We Met At The Circus")
Background: During their farewell
concert (the "Suburban Sendoff") at
LopLops Lounge on October 21st,
now-defunct alternative hard rock trio The Din revealed to fans that
they were recording soundboard audio from the show for a posthumous live
album, as part of their plans to maintain an online presence with media
releases on social media accounts. The band's setlist that night
included live versions of every song from their two studio albums
(except "The Rose"), as well as "We Met As Surrogates" from frontman
Mike Haggith's 2015 solo album "The Warinside". Their encore
cover of The Tragically Hip's
"Blow At High Dough" is unlikely to make
the final album due to copyright issues, but was later shared on their Facebook page as an "advance cut" (complete with apparent final artwork.)
Current Release Status: There's no
way of knowing yet, especially given Mike's move out west for work, but a
Bandcamp release of the 'Suburban Sendoff" live album is likely when
mastering and editing is complete. The band did vaguely note that
details were "coming soon" in December, but not much else is known. Keep
posted to Din pages for word on this album!
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Electric Church's debut album
Rumoured Songs: "Muddy Waters", "Ain't Got None", "Carey Baby", "Take Me Away", "Cross the Line"
Background: Fast rising young
blues/hard rock trio Electric Church evolved from Jimi Hendrix covers in
2016 to primarily original material in 2017, and punctuated that on May
12th when they announced on
their Facebook page
that they were "working up some new songs... for the album!!!" It was
confirmed around that time that they were recording material at Mission
Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones, who shared a picture on
their Facebook page
confirming Electric Church's presence. However, few direct updates have
followed publically, aside from scattered reminders that they are still working in studio, and tha they "are really excited about all the new projects we have planned."
Current Release Status: No clue,
but Electric Church are a very talented band who play beyond their
years, and no matter how long this takes, the album should be of solid
quality when it finally comes out! At last word, the band noted on New
Year's Day that they were "looking forward to finishing up in the studio
this year", so stay tuned for updates!
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The Elements'
debut EP
Rumoured Songs: "Liar", "G20", "Triple H", "The Rut", "I Need A Friend"
Background: Arguably better known
for their funk, ska, and hard rock covers, local quartet The Elements
have been adding original material to their sets since last year, and
have since publically confirmed earlier teases that they are working on a
debut EP. Frontman Rob Speers has confirmed in personal conversations last spring
that they have been working in studio on the release, which will have at
least 5 tracks, and I believe it's being self-recorded, but further
public updates are minimal at best. It's also not known if they'll
employ any guest performers, such as Jonas Gasperas (who may be their permanent drummer now) and
saxophonist Josh Norling, a frequent presence in recent
months.
Current Release Status: At this
stage, I have no idea, but Rob sounded like things were going well in
studio. That said, these were largely personal conversations a year ago,
and the band hasn't acknowledged album recording sessions publically in
recent months, so we'll have to see if updates come out on it in 2017!
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Gates of Winter - Perihelion
Rumoured Songs: "The Stars Call My True Name", "Edin Na Zu", "Dimensions", "Time Warp", "Wormhole Mechanics", "Prometheus", "Eta Carinae"
Background: Despite
a hiatus from live concerts lasting almost 9 years, Gates of
Winter never broke up, and are slowly working on their follow-up
to 2008's "Lux Aeterna". Updates have sporadically been made
since early 2010, via numerous uploads, teaser postings, and general
hype for the recording sessions, though prior release forecasts haven't
been realized, it was retracted from CD to EP length, and most preview
media has since been taken down as the band perfected the CD's final
content. While Sault
native Jon Morrison
was announced as the album's drummer in late 2010, it has since been
confirmed that "Perihelion" will feature programmed drums. After taking a
over a year's hiatus from public activity, Gates of Winter resurfaced
in July with new band artwork and hints that they have "been making
incredible strides, and are very excited to pull back the curtain."
Current Release Status: Personal
commitments and the like have slowed
things down incredibly, but in the band's most recent preview video
(featuring audio samples), Gates of Winter hinted that work was winding
down on "Perihelion", including noting that "the silence ends soon".
Good art takes time, and
knowing Gates of
Winter's
talent and attention to detail, they won't want to release this until
everything's perfect. I'll admit that I know a bit more on "Perihelion"
than what I've posted here courtesy of e-mail conversations and private postings, but I'll wait until more public word comes
out. Keep an eye out for updates!
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Id Iota's full length second CD
Rumoured Songs: "Happy Sailor", "Intro To American Literature", "Seas Envy Skies", "Long D", "Cop Drama", "Deep Empty", "Blind Spots"
Background: Not long after their
successful Ontario tour with Mike Mikus last fall, Id Iota began
recording sessions for their second album, though public confirmation
that a full length CD was currently in progress didn't occur until
guitarist Dustin Goodall announced it on his studio
Unsalted Audio's website
earlier this year. Scattered postings and hints have followed, but
nothing else has came out beyond performances of newer originals in
concert through this spring. For reference,
this photo got shared a few times on
Id Iota's Facebook page
last year, but it's unclear if it's intended to be the album's cover
artwork or not. It is not clear if the band will retain ex-bassist Dan
Linklater's parts on the final product, or if any collaborations with
ex-RedD Monkey
cellist Pete Mozarowski will make the cut.
Current Release Status: No idea,
especially with the alternative/hard rock quartet keeping fairly mum on
it's progress (not to mention their recent bassist change), but if there was ever a plan to release it in time for
their dissolved May tour run, that's obviously came and went. Keep
watch for updates as
they roll in!
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Kraken Mara's self-titled debut EP
Rumoured Songs: "Chimera", "Ishka", "Grand Machinations", "Straus"
Background:
The current progressive metal project from Late & Loud guitarist
Brendan Christie & Wawa band veteran Jake Valois, Kraken Mara
immediately commenced work on studio material upon their April 2016
launch, though they have yet to assemble a full lineup, let alone play
live. In sporadic updates since on
their Facebook page &
their website,
the band has indicated ongoing recording sessions towards a self-titled
EP, posting and reworking original demos to their website and
Reverbnation page
over recent months, with Reese Wolf working as sound engineer for the
tracks. As well, the cover artwork for the EP was revealed on Facebook
at the end of March, and the band has since confirmed plans to record
music videos for all of the planned tracks, starting with one for
"Straus" in July.
Current Release Status: Your guess
is as good as mine, but last fall, Kraken Mara announced on their
website that "the last of our tracks are being mastered as we speak",
while a new playthrough video is also in the works. Brendan and Jake are
keeping things very
professional and technical so far, but while updates don't come all that
frequently, the instrumental material sounds very good and complex so
far! These
should please fans of progressive and djent metal, so keep tabs above
for updates!
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Mike Vincent - Ultimate Chaos
Rumoured Songs: "Shoah"
(retitled Skull After Betrayl cover), "Sacred Sins", "Six, Six, Six",
"Systematical Satan", "Soulless Sanctuary", "Screaming Serenity", "Times
Of The Unforgotten", "Chapters of No Light", "We're of Nothing",
"Phases of Pain", "Filters of Fire", "Chapter 2: Glow of the Dark",
"Ultimate Chaos"
Background: After briefly manning
his own solo project in 2011 (which featured original songs named after
food), ex-Skull After Betrayl frontman Mike Vincent resurrected his dormant solo
project this past summer via
his new Bandcamp page.
Mike soon posted a series of six instrumentals there, all with titles
starting with the letter S, which are planned to constitute his debut EP
when finished with vocals. Mike followed up later with four unrelated
songs that are planned for his second solo release, with "Times of the
Unforgotten" notably
featuring his uncle Jason Ladouceur (ex-Winkstinger) in a guest spot.
After a year's hiatus for personal reasons, Mike re-emerged with a new
song "Filters of Fire" this summer, and revised plans to combine his
planned EPs "Six, Six, Six" & "We're of Nothing" into one full
length album named "Ultimate Chaos".
Current Release Status: No idea,
but given that he's posted all of it's planned songs on Bandcamp, a
digital release through
there seems likely, unless he only planned them to be individual free
uploads. Mike's past local bands haven't quite
gotten off the ground in terms of putting out albums, but for fans of
Skull After Betrayl, D.O.T.H., and so on, Mike's solo project should be
very intriguing, and while he put in some solid work in the process,
hopefully these get a formal paid release. Keep tabs for further
updates!
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Northwest's second EP
Rumoured Songs: "Hangover Habits", "Drinking Games"
Background: Following the release
of their debut self-titled digital EP in September 2014, and a lengthy
stage hiatus from late 2016 through last winter, local indie/punk
quintet Northwest resumed major activity in April 2017 with teaser
photos of recording sessions at Mission Control Studios with producer
Dustin Jones (as they had done for their debut) being sporadically posted over the following year to
their Facebook page.
Confirmation that this was for a new EP, their first with current
drummer Marc Santos, only came in July via their write-up in
this year's Rotaryfest program, prior to their Second Stage debut.
Current Release Status: It's hard
to say, especially given their quiet postings aside from the teaser
photos, and the fact that their debut EP was only released online, but
things sounded like they wee progressing well at a reliable local
studio. In their New Year's Day post on Facebook, Northwest said that
"we will have new music to share with everyone in 2018", so hopefully
Northwest's second album sees it's way onto online or
physical storefronts in the coming months!
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Redundant's debut CD
Rumoured Songs:
"Miles Apart", "That December", "What You'll Do"
Background: Over two and a half
years after their last documented studio sessions in the spring of 2012,
local punk band Redundant revealed on
their Facebook page in November 2014 that they were finally working on finishing their debut
CD, and will look to hold a CD release party for it upon it's
completion. However, whatever became of those sessions (and planned "new studio shit" in 2016) appear to have been discarded, as Redundant announced last month that they will begin recording their debut album at Mission Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones at some point this month. Details are otherwise minimal, including on if the guys will
just package their older studio work for the release, or if new guitarist Yannick Casavant will be present on these sessions.
Current Release Status: Though we
don't know much on the new/revived album plans, Redundant did sound
serious about completing their CD back in 2014. That said, Redundant have only played
a handful of times in the last couple of years, and were only sporadically seen on stage in 2016 & 2017. If
we hear any updates, we'll let you know!
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Skeyes of Seven - Stare at the Sky
Rumoured Songs: "Enough", "See The Truth", "Fallen Faith", "Pretend", "Cognitive Dissonance", "Crawling Back From Reality"
Background: Already no strangers to
the studio after recording two songs as
singles in the mid-2010s, local modern hard rock quartet
Skeyes of Seven hit the studio to record their debut EP in 2015,
though they only publically confirmed that an EP was in the works in January 2016. Sessions took place at
Deluca Sound Productions,
who have shared videos of band members tracking material for the EP,
the title of which being unveiled later that year. In January 2017, all six songs
were posted to
their YouTube channel,
including the new instrumental "Crawling Back From Reality", while also
excluding their older originals "Destination Unknown" & "No One
Cares". New guitarist Kyle Sweet is not visibly on the EP, having joined
Skeyes of Seven after sessions concluded.
Current Release Status: Given that
the whole EP is online for free streaming, then conventional wisdom
would say that "Stare at the Sky" would be released imminently, but the
band has yet to confirm a paid release date. Hopefully it doesn't stall
at being a free posting, as Skeyes of
Seven are a talented and experienced band, and having been active in
studio more than on stage since launching in 2012, it'd be great to see
them culminate this process with a release concert, especially with their return to the stage in September. Follow along
to see where things go!
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Telephone & Address - "Monster" & "The Early Tapes"
Rumoured Songs (M): "I Can Bleed
Rumoured Songs (E): "The Plumbers"
Background: Telephone &
Address frontman Chris Shoust announced on
their Facebook page
in 2015 that he was working on releasing "The Early Tapes", a
compilation of songs from the first 4 Telephone & Address albums
(2011's self titled album, and 2012's "Live", "No. 3", and "Broken
Head"). Since then however, he revealed that a separate new album named
"Monster" is done, with an advanced copy
leaked to him by AlgomA drummer Jamie Vincent, which likely hints that
Jamie helped produce it. However, a later-recorded album, "Are You Now
or Have You Ever", was officially released in October 2016, despite "Monster"
being announced a year previously. Songs from both of these unreleased
albums can be streamed on
their Soundcloud page, and they're likely to turn up on
Telephone & Address' Bandcamp page and on
Interpunk down the road.
Current Release Status: Chris has
indicated online that "Monster" was planned to be
pressed in the fall of 2015, blaming money issues for the delays in it
being released, and while a November 2016 release date was teased last
fall, that has came & went too. Regarding the "The
Early Tapes", Chris revealed in March
2015 that it "will be delayed for some time", though he didn't elaborate
on
why specifically. Also, no word on how his newest Soundcloud tracks from
August play in, if at all, especially as they feature new hire Jackson Reed on drums, who joined well after "Monster" was recorded. Assuming things go according to plan,
Telephone &
Address should have some big albums in the works, so we'll
keep
you posted when more on any of these comes out!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! This series will return on or around March 2nd, while our next monthly feature (barring a quick CD review) will be this month's Defunct Local Band Profile next week. That's all for not, but stay tuned for a new news post tomorrow! Thanks everyone!
Prolific local acoustic hard rock singer/guitarist Tym Morrison has announced six matinee gigs at Mark's Breakfast Plus for this month TONIGHT, TOMORROW, and WEDNESDAY, then again on February 26th-28th! Apologies for the short notice, Tym only announced these shows via their Facebook event page yesterday, and while he did also announce a pair of new Room 21 gigs as well, we will hold those for this weekend's concert previews to avoid redundantly covering them twice in under a week. Already busy enough with his weekly Gliss Steak & Seafood arrangement and bi-monthly Roadhouse gigs, February is suddenly packed for the former Caveman Morrison frontman, with only Thursdays having no gigs at all this month! TONIGHT'S Mark's show will be his first at the Market Mall restaurant of the year, and first in over two months, and if that doesn't work out for you schedule-wise, he will be back there on TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, and at month's end, so you have plenty of opportunities to see Tym live this month!
Moving
to previously announced concerts, hard rock fans in the Twin Saults
have quite a double header ahead with a huge show on both sides of the
border in the coming days, starting with the long awaited return of
Juno Award winning Toronto/Boston hard rock notables Big Wreck to the Sault Ontario stage TOMORROW NIGHT at The Machine Shop!
Familiar to rock fans for high charting hits like
"Albatross", "Blown Wide Open", and "That Song", this will be Ian
Thornley and company's first local concert appearance since 2001,
so if you've been waiting patiently for their local return for the past
16+ years, here is your big chance! This show is a stop on Big Wreck's
20th anniversary tour for their multi-platinum debut album "In Loving
Memory Of...", and if recent shows are any indication, expect that whole
album to be played tomorrow, albeit in mixed up order! Winnipeg
alternative rock trio Attica Riots
will open this show in their local debut, so look for an upbeat
pop/indie rock-influenced sound from them tomorrow as
well!
Finally for this early-week batch of concert previews, we'll head across to Sault Michigan, where Muskegon hard rock quintet Pop Evil will return for their fifth local concert appearance THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT for a Valentine's Day concert at The Dreammaker's Theater at the Soo's Kewadin Casino! Hitting this venue for their fourth headlining show there, and first since last February, this should be another great opportunity for fans to check out this fan favourite group and their numerous chart-topping hits like "Footsteps" & "Torn to Pieces", plus their newest single "Waking Lions", so there should be lots of familiar hard hitting songs to take in on Wednesday! Las Vegas/Toronto "fashion-art rock" band Palaye Royale (not "Palace") and San Francisco post-hardcore trio Black Map will open this show in their own local debuts, and with the former's indie influenced power rock and the latter's more aggressive metal attack, both should make solid fanbases here on Wednesday, so don't be late for them!
Finally for today, we'll stay on the Kewadin track, as local hard/blues rock quartet Project 906 have shared four videos from their set opening for Laith Al-Saadi at The Dreammaker's Theater on Saturday onto their Facebook page! All vertically oriented cell phone camera clips, two were shared from guitarist Joe Jenkins' personal Facebook page, including the end of their cover of ZZ Top's "Tush", and an instrumental section that I can't identify off hand. Both are more less to showcase Joe soloing, though new drummer Tommy Korcal is in easy view on them also, and the quality is solid despite the length! Attendee Dani Baumann also filmed the guys playing "Tush", and while it is an earlier section with vocals, Joe gets some solid solo time in at the end! The audio quality is even clearer, and while Dani was further from the stage than the filmer on Joe's clips, she zoomed in and showcased Billy & Dustin too, so it all works out! However, embedded below is a full performance clip of Project 906 covering The Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See", courtesy of attendee Katie Jeffson, so how does it sound?
